Lc type connector with clip-on push/pull tab for releasing connector from a receptacle using a cable boot

ABSTRACT

A LC type connector assembly with a clip on, clip off push/pull boot is described herein. A cable boot is recessed to accommodate one or more tabs of the clip-on push/pull boot, while the cable boot has one or more protrusions for securing the cable boot to a back body of the connector. Thus, the push/pull clip is integrated with a cable boot assembly that allows a user to apply a distal force to remove or insert the connector assembly into the adapter housing. The push/pull clip is configured for use to release a LC connector type from a receptacle port with or without an anchor device within the port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED-APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/730,373 filed on Sep. 12, 2018, entitled “LC TypeConnector with Clip on Push/Pull Tab for Releasing Connector from aReceptacle using Cable Boot” and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/730,304 filed Sep. 12, 2018, entitled “Optical Connector Assemblieswith Cable Boot Release Having Adjustable Polarity,” each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to connectors deploying arelease from a receptacle, and more specifically to narrow widthadapters and connectors, such as narrow pitch distance Lucent Connector(LC) duplex adapters and narrow width multi-fiber connectors.

The prevalence of the Internet has led to unprecedented growth incommunication networks. Consumer demand for service and increasedcompetition has caused network providers to continuously find ways toimprove quality of service while reducing cost.

Certain solutions have included deployment of high-density interconnectpanels. High-density interconnect panels may be designed to consolidatethe increasing volume of interconnections necessary to support thefast-growing networks into a compacted form factor, thereby increasingquality of service and decreasing costs such as floor space and supportoverhead. However, the deployment of high-density interconnect panelshas not been fully realized.

In communication networks, such as data centers and switching networks,numerous interconnections between mating connectors may be compactedinto high-density panels. Panel and connector producers may optimize forsuch high densities by shrinking the connector size and/or the spacingbetween adjacent connectors on the panel. While both approaches may beeffective to increase the panel connector density, shrinking theconnector size and/or spacing may also increase the support cost anddiminish the quality of service.

In a high-density panel configuration, adjacent connectors and cableassemblies may obstruct access to individual the release mechanism toremove a connector from a receptacle. Such physical obstructions mayimpede the ability of an operator to minimize the stresses applied tothe cables and the connectors. For example, these stresses may beapplied when a user reaches into a dense group of connectors and pushesaside surrounding optical fibers and connectors to access an individualconnector release mechanism with his/her thumb and forefinger. Thetypical connector access point is nearer the connector body.Overstressing the cables and connectors may produce latent defects,compromise the integrity and/or reliability of the terminations, andpotentially cause serious disruptions to network performance.

While an operator may attempt to use a tool, such as a screwdriver, toreach into a dense group of connectors and activate a release mechanism,adjacent cables and connectors may obstruct the operator's line ofsight, making it difficult to guide the tool to the release mechanismwithout pushing aside the adjacent cables. Moreover, even when theoperator has a clear line of sight, guiding the tool to the releasemechanism may be a time-consuming process. Thus, using a tool may not beeffective at reducing support time and increasing the quality ofservice.

Small Form Factor Pluggable Transceivers (SFP) are used presently intelecommunication infrastructures within rack mounted copper-to-fibermedia converters, and are also known as Ethernet switches and/orpatching hubs. These infrastructure Ethernet and fiber optic connectionsare evolving quickly to increase connection density due to limited spacefor such equipment. Although fiber optic connectors have become smallerover the years, they have not been designed to be any smaller thannecessary to plug into commonly sized and readily available SFPs.However, as transceiver technologies develop, smaller SFPs will be usedto create higher density switches and/or patching hub equipment.Accordingly, there is a need for fiber optic connectors that will meetthe needs of future developments in smaller SFPs.

SUMMARY

In summary, one aspect provides a connector comprising: a front bodycomprising: a top and a bottom, a recess running lengthwise on the topof the front body, and a rear body detachably connected to the frontbody forming a housing, wherein a portion of the rear body fits insidethe front body when detachably connected, a cable boot with a crimp ringat proximal end, and an outer body with a recess configured to accept apush/pull tab; and a push-pull tab comprising a front portion, a rearportion, and one or more side portions, wherein the push-pull tab isdetachably connected to the housing using the one or more side portionsand detachably connected to the cable boot recess, wherein the frontportion sits in the recess. Upon pulling upon the cable or cable boot,the connector is unsecured or released from a receptacle or adapterinner latching structure, when the push/pull tab connected to the cableboot via at least one wing that is secured within a recess formed withinthe cable boot itself. The cable boot has at least on inner protrusionsthat is moveable, secured within a recess or cut-out in back body ofconnector. Movement by pulling rearward releases connector fromreceptacle port. The recess is sized and shaped to allow from connectorrelease with cable boot inner protrusion.

Another aspect provides a receiver device comprising: one or more portsfor receiving a connector having a top and a bottom; the one or moreports comprising at least one cutout on the top; and the one or moreports comprising at least one guide rail on the bottom, wherein the atleast one cutout is configured to receive an interchangeable anchordevice.

A further aspect provides a network system comprising: a connectorcomprising a housing comprising a groove running widthwise on a surfaceof the housing; and a push-pull tab comprising a complementary groove,wherein the push-pull tab is detachably connected to the housing; and areceiver device comprising one or more ports for receiving theconnector, the one or more ports having an interchangeable anchor deviceincluding a first portion and a second portion; wherein the groove isconfigured to receive the first portion of the interchangeable anchordevice when the connector is inserted into the receiving element, andwherein the complimentary groove is configured to receive the secondportion of the interchangeable anchor device when the connector isinserted into the receiving element, the push-pull tab being configuredto disengage the second portion of the interchangeable anchor devicefrom the complementary groove when the push-pull tab is moved in adirection away from the connector, thereby disengaging the first portionof the interchangeable anchor device from the grove of the connector.

In the present invention, the push-pull tab 510 a of FIG. 5 is used witha cable boot release 507 a assembly for releasing and inserting a fiberoptic connector from an adapter receptacle. This reduces overall spacerequirements as the push/pull tab extends from the connector body over acable, and the push/pull tab protrudes into valuable space between racksof connectors interconnecting the network. In one embodiment, the cableboot assembly moves over a back post or back body located with aconnector housing. The back body is secured to a front housing using alatch and recess mechanism.

This cable boot assembly can be used with a LC or Lucent® connector, aSC or standard connector, a CS® or SN™ connector sold by the assignee ofthe present invention, or a MT ferrule or mechanical transfer ferruleconnector used in MPO or multi-fiber push on connector. All theseconnector types have a ferrule with an optical fiber secured therein ata proximal end, and an incoming cable at a distal end. Applicant pendingapplication U.S. Ser. No. 15/881,309 filed on Jan. 26, 2018, titled“Modular Connector and Adapter Devices”, Inventor is Takano, is fullyincorporated by reference herein.

Accordingly, there is a need for fiber optic connectors that will meetthe needs of future developments allowing for smaller footprints, easierimplementation, and easy field modification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art narrow pitch connectordeploying a bend-latch release.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the bend latch connector of FIG. 1Aassembled.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of inserting the connector of FIG. 1A intoa receptacle.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1A at start ofrelease from a receptacle.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1A removed from areceptacle.

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of a prior art narrow pitch LC typeconnector.

FIG. 3B is an assembled view of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a receptacle with an anchor devicewithin receptacle port.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of FIG. 3B connector prior to insertion inreceptacle of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of FIG. 3B connector inserted intoreceptacle activating anchor device.

FIG. 4C.1 is a zoomed view of anchor device being lifted prior andsecured in recess at front of connector of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of FIG. 3B connector being removed fromreceptacle.

FIG. 4D.1 is a zoomed view of anchor device being lifted out of recessby pulling on push/pull tab.

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of a connector assembly according to afirst embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts is a perspective view of a proximal end of a connectorassembly of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 6A depicts is a perspective view of the push-pull tab pulledrearward of the connector assembly of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-section view of a receptacle having the connectorof FIG. 6 therein.

FIG. 7A depicts a further cross-section taken of FIG. 6A while connectoris being removed from receptacle.

FIG. 8 depicts a view of anchor device being moved up and out of recessduring removal of connector of FIG. 3A from receptacle.

FIG. 8A depicts a side view of a connector assembly of FIG. 3A withanchor device fully removed from recess.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an assembled bottom view of the connector assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a partial exploded view of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the connector crimp ring prior to securingcable boot.

FIG. 13 is a front view of cable boot.

FIG. 14 is a cross-section of cable boot secured over rear of connector.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of connector body without push/pull tab.

FIG. 15A is a partial cross-section of push/pull tab and cable bootsecured to connector body.

FIG. 16 depicts insertion of connector of FIG. 9 into a receptacle.

FIG. 17 depicts connector of FIG. 9 inserted into a receptacle.

FIG. 18 depicts removal of connector of FIG. 9 from a receptacle.

FIG. 19 depicts a raised surface to use to pull connector of FIG. 9rearward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices andmethods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as anadmission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are notentitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. Asused in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but notlimited to.”

The following terms shall have, for the purposes of this application,the respective meanings set forth below.

A connector, as used herein, refers to a device and/or component thereofthat connects a first module or cable to a second module or cable. Theconnector may be configured for fiber optic transmission or electricalsignal transmission. The connector may be any suitable type now known orlater developed, such as, for example, a ferrule connector (FC), a fiberdistributed data interface (FDDI) connector, an LC connector, amechanical transfer (MT) connector, a square connector (SC) connector,an SC duplex connector, or a straight tip (ST) connector. The connectormay generally be defined by a connector housing body. In someembodiments, the housing body may incorporate any or all of thecomponents described herein.

A “fiber optic cable” or an “optical cable” refers to a cable containingone or more optical fibers for conducting optical signals in beams oflight. The optical fibers can be constructed from any suitabletransparent material, including glass, fiberglass, and plastic. Thecable can include a jacket or sheathing material surrounding the opticalfibers. In addition, the cable can be connected to a connector on oneend or on both ends of the cable.

Various embodiments described herein generally provide a remote releasemechanism such that a user can remove cable assembly connectors that areclosely spaced together on a high-density panel without damagingsurrounding connectors, accidentally disconnecting surroundingconnectors, disrupting transmissions through surrounding connectors,and/or the like. Various embodiments also provide narrow pitch LC duplexconnectors and narrow width multi-fiber connectors, for use, forexample, with future narrow pitch LC SFPs and future narrow width SFPs.The remote release mechanisms allow use of the narrow pitch LC duplexconnectors and narrow width multi-fiber connectors in dense arrays ofnarrow pitch LC SFPs and narrow width multi-fiber SFPs.

FIG. 1A depicts a prior art bend latch connector. The connector 100comprises a dust cap 101, front body 102, ferrule assembly (103 a, 103b), ferrule bias springs (104 a, 104 b), a back body 105, crimp ring 106and cable boot 107. FIG. 1B is FIG. 1A assembled. Bend latch 102 a isdepressed to release latch surface 102 c secured within a receptacle(not shown). FIG. 2A depicts connector 100 secured within receptacle200, with latch surface 102 c secured behind cut out 201. FIG. 2Bdepicts removing connector 100 by depressing at “P” latch 102. FIG. 2Cdepicts pulling connector 100 rearward, in direction of arrow A, untilthe connector is removed from receptacle 200. To remove this connector,a user must depress the latch very close to the receptacle port. Whenthere are connectors side-by-side, the user may depress a secondconnector latch or could loosen the second connector in a second port.This would result in signal loss. FIG. 3A depicts an exploded view of aLC type prior art connector with a push/pull tab. The push/pull tab 310is secured about front body. A bias spring 309 maintains tab 310 in aforward position, as shown in FIG. 6. Ferrule 303 b is biased forward byspring 304 b, and the spring/ferrule are held within front body 305.Crimp ring 306 is secured to back body, and cable boot 037 is secured tocrimp ring 306. FIG. 3B depicts assembled connector 300. A width-wiserecess 313 receives an anchor device 715 secured within a receptacle200, refer to FIG. 7 below, to secure connector 300 within receptacle200. A ramp surface 312 lifts anchor device upward as push/pull tab 310is pulled in direction of “P”. FIG. 4A depicts receptacle 200 with ananchor device 415 secured behind receptacle cut out 201. FIG. 4B showsconnector 300 being inserted using push/pull tab 310 into receptacle200. FIG. 4C shows connector 300 with anchor device entering inwidth-wise recess. FIG. 4C.1 is a zoomed view of anchor device 415 beingsecured within width-wise recess on connector front body, as connector300 is inserted into receptacle 200. FIG. 4D depicts anchor device 415being lifted by ramp surface 312 of push/pull tab 301. FIG. 4D.1 is azoomed view of anchor device being lifted out of width-wise recess byramp surface 312 as connector 300 is removed by pulling rearward onpush/pull tab 310.

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of the present invention. Connector 500comprises a front body 502 accepts ferrule 503 b biased by spring 504 brespectively, and held in place by back body 505 a. Push/pull tab 510 aattaches a proximal end of front body 502, is secured to back body 505a, and tab 510 b.1 attaches about recess 507 b of cable boot 507 a.Cable boot 507 a is secured about crimp ring 506 a. Cable 506 c jacketis secured and pressed with crimp ring 506 a. Connector 500 is assembledfrom right to left. Ramp surface 504 lifts anchor device in recess 603to release the connector from the receptacle port. FIG. 6A depicts aproximal end of connector 500 with push/pull tab 510 a biased forward,and width-wise recess 603. FIG. 6B depicts connector 500 being pullrearward using push/pull tab 510 a, where ramp surface 604 would lift ananchor device (not shown) within receptacle port.

FIG. 7 depicts anchor device 715 retained within recess 603 that securesconnector 500 in receptacle 200 port. FIG. 7A depicts a cross-section ofFIG. 7 showing anchor device leg 716 within recess 603, and up againstramp surface 604, which is integrated with push/pull tab 510 a. FIG. 8depicts removing in direction of arrow R connector 500 from receptacle200. Anchor leg 716 is lifted up (in direction of arrow U) by rampsurface 604. FIG. 8A depicts further rearward removal of the connectorfrom the receptacle, where the anchor leg 716 is out of recess 603, andnow released from the receptacle port.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of connector 500 prior to assembly ofpush/pull clip 510 b, a second embodiment of the present invention.Proximal end 510 d of clip 510 b is secured to a proximal end 502 b offront body, and wings 510 b.1, 510 b.2 are secured about circumferentialrecess 507 b formed as part of the cable boot. Assembly is in directionof arrow “A” of push/pull clip 510 b onto cable boot 507 a. FIG. 10depicts connector 600 with push/pull clip 510 a assembled with wings(510 b.1, 510 b.2) secured about recess of cable boot 507 a. FIG. 11depicts an exploded view of securing cable boot 507 a onto crimp sleeve506 b in direction of arrow “A”. FIG. 12 depicts a zoomed view of crimpsleeve “W” width. Width “W” is the maximum outside dimension of crimpring 506 a over which cable boot 507 a is placed. The inside dimensionof cable boot 506 a is sized to allow cable boot to be inserted overcrimp ring sleeve 506 b. This allows cable boot 507 a to be secured ontoback body 505 a, using back body cut out 505 b. Since back body 505 a issecured to front body 502 a, and push/pull clip 510 a is secured aboutcable boot 506 a, a rearward pulling on cable 506 c or cable boot 507 awill release connector (500, 600) from a receptacle port.

FIG. 13 depicts cable boot 507 a. The inner diameter of cable boot at aproximal end opening, is slightly larger than the “W” of crimp ringsleeve 506 b. Protrusions 507 c.1 thru 507 c.3, on an inside surface ofcable boot. Cable boot 507 a may have one or more protrusions that aresecured within a corresponding cut out 505 b on an outside surface ofback body 505 a. This secures and positions cable boot 507 a over backbody 505 a. FIG. 14 is a cross-section cut-out of rear view of cableboot 507 a secured over crimp ring sleeve 506 b, and back body 505 a iscrimped over crimp ring. The cable boot is integrated with connector(550, 600), and by assembling the push/pull clip as shown in FIG. 10, apull rearward on cable or cable boot will release connector fromreceptacle port.

FIG. 15 depicts back body 505 a cut out 505 b, with back body securedwithin crimp ring 506 a. FIG. 15A is a cross-section cut-out of FIG. 15(shown by dotted line), with cable boot protrusion 507 c.1 (althoughmore than one protrusion/back body cut out can be used), moveable withinback body cut out 505 b. Upon pulling cable or cable boot rearward,protrusion 507 c.1 moves rearward along cut out. The distance movedallows push/pull clip ramp surface 604 to lift anchor device leg 716from widthwise recess 603, which releases connector 500 from areceptacle port. FIG. 16 depicts connector 600 being inserted intoreceptacle 200 port in direction of arrow “I”. Anchor device 715 is outof recess. The cable boot protrusions 507 c.1 is fully forward in backbody recess/cut-out 505 b. FIG. 17 depicts connector 600 fully insertedinto receptacle port, with anchor leg 715 within width-wise recess 313.Wing 5120 b.3 permanently may secures push/pull clip 510 a to cable boot507 a.

FIG. 18 depicts connector (500, 600) being removed from receptacle portby a user pulling on cable boot 507 a or cable 506 c in direction ofarrow “R”. Protrusion 507 c.1 moves rearward within back bodycut-out/recess 505 b, until protrusions is stopped by a recess stop face505 c. The length of recess 505 b is sized to accommodate a protrusion507 c.1, and to allow ramp surface 604 to lift out anchor leg 517 fromrecess 503, and release connector (500, 600) from the receptacle port.FIG. 19 connector with a raised surface 600 a or 600 b to pull on torelease connector.

In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbolstypically identify similar components, unless context dictatesotherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detaileddescription, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presentedherein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in theFigures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designedin a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosureis to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (for example, bodiesof the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (forexample, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including butnot limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” et cetera). While various compositions, methods, anddevices are described in terms of “comprising” various components orsteps (interpreted as meaning “including, but not limited to”), thecompositions, methods, and devices can also “consist essentially of” or“consist of” the various components and steps, and such terminologyshould be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups. Itwill be further understood by those within the art that if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intentwill be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of suchrecitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (for example, “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example,the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, meansat least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, inthose instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B,and C, et cetera” is used, in general such a construction is intended inthe sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention(for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, et cetera). In those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, et cetera” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (for example, “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, et cetera). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, oralternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systemsor applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is alsointended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A push-pull clip comprising: a first end; saidfirst end further comprises an opening at a first surface configured toaccept a protrusion and said protrusion is part of a connection device;and said push-pull clip releasably secured to a cable boot.
 2. Thepush-pull clip according to claim 1, wherein said cable boot has arecess configured to accept a pair of wings at a second end of saidpush-pull clip.
 3. A fiber optic connector comprising: a push-pull clip,said push-pull clip configured to actuate a connection device; a housingcomprising at least one ferrule and a back body; a cable boot is securedto said push-pull clip; and wherein said cable boot is configured tomove longitudinally about said back body; thereby, releasing said fiberoptic connector from an adapter.
 4. The fiber optic connector accordingto claim 3, wherein said push-pull clip has at least one wing.
 5. Thefiber optic connector according to claim 4, wherein said cable boot hasat least one recess configured to accept said wing to secure saidpush-pull clip to said cable boot.
 6. The fiber optic connectoraccording to claim 3, wherein said push-pull clip does not extend beyonda flexible portion of said cable boot.
 7. The fiber optic connectoraccording to claim 3, wherein said push-pull clip which is one ofremovable and permanently secured to said cable boot by the wing.
 8. Thefiber optic connector according to claim 3, wherein said cable bootfurther comprises a recess or cut-out on outer surface a back body. 9.The fiber optic connector according to claim 8, wherein said back bodyfurther comprises a least one stop face for limiting said longitudinalmovement of said cable boot protrusion, thereby, reducing connectordamage.
 10. A fiber optic connector resulting in the configuration ofclaim
 3. 11. A method of releasing a fiber optic connector from anadapter comprising: providing said fiber optic connector of claim 10;and releasing said fiber optic connector from an adapter housing whichis one of pulling on said cable boot, a cable and said push-pull clip.12. The method according to claim 11 wherein, securing said fiber opticconnector within an adapter housing which is one of pushing on saidcable boot and push-pull clip.